Apparatus for generating acetylene gas.



PATENTED JULY 30, 1967. T. H. HAWKINS. I

2 SHEETS-anim 1.

APPARATUS FUR GENERATING ACETYLENE GAS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18. 1905. BBNBWED MAR. 25, 1907- No. 861,837. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.-

T.' H. HAWKINS. APPARATUS POB. GENERATING AGETYLBNB GAS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18. 1905. RENEWED MAB. 25, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Zzvezz of UNITED STATES PATENT ordnen.

THOMAS HENRY HAWKINS, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO DONNELLY FISHER AND ANDREW WALTER IRBY MAOANSH, OF SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ACETYLENE GAS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3o, 1907.

nnlieatien filed NOVBDlbBr 18. 1905, Seria] No. 288,015. Renewed March 25, 1907. Serial No. 364,528.

To all whom 'it may concern.

Be it known that I, THOMAS HENRY HAWKINs, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Granville Road, Forest Gate, London, England, but presently at Iroquois, Macleay sti'eet, Potts Point, Sydney, New SouthWales, Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Lamp and Apparatus for Generating and Storing Acetylene Gas, of which the following is a specification` This invention relates to apparatus for generating, storing and burning acetylene gas the object of the present invention being to provide a lamp having a self contained automatic generator with means for securing a fairly uniform pressure of gas and for storing any gas which may be generated after the consumption is stopped, by turning off the light, until the gas is again required for consumption.

The apparatus comprises a generating chamber which may or may not be fitted with a loose canister or cartridge for containing the carbid; an upper water chamber adapted to supply water to the carbid; a chamber for the reception of the gas generated or stored when the consumption thereof is suspended; a further chamber receiving the water displaced by such storage of gas also a purifying chamber situated between the generator and the burner. Suitable pipes, connections, plugs and valves are provided as may be necessary for insuring the proper operation of the apparatus.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows in vertical section a preferred construction and Fig. 2 a modification thereof.

It is obvious however that many modifications may be made in the arrangements without affecting the operations to be carried on or the efficiency of my invention. l

The apparatus comprises a gas generating chamber 3 preferably of annular form adapted for the reception of a loose cartridge or holder 4 for the carbid; the upper part of the said hold er being open to the chamberA 3 and the lower part thereof perforated. Surrounding the aforesaid generating chamber is a chamber 5 for water. Below this latter chamber are situated two chambers 6 and 7. The chamber 6 is normally occupied with water but by means of the' pipe S receives the gas generated upon the consumption thereof by the burner 9 being suspended. The chamber 7 is in communication with the chamber 6 by way of the pipe 10 and upon the displacement of the water in the said chamber 6 as the result of the generation of gas, the Water passes through the pipe 10 to the chamber 7 The chamber G thereby serves as a storage reservoir for gas when the consumption of'the latter is suspended.

The water chamber 5 is placed in communication with the central tubular portion 11 of the cartridge or holder 4 by means of the pipe 12 whereon is applied a regulat ing valve or equivalent device 13. The said chamber 5 is provided with a water filling aperture into which is fitted a perforated plug 14 having a tube 15 passing through the perforation; said tube being open to the atmosphere through a pin hole and the object of the said tube 15 being to effect the regulation of the air admitted to the chamber 5. The chamber 5 is furnished with a pipe 1G for supplying air to or permitting the escape of air from' chamber 7; a valve or regulator 17 being placed thereon for limiting or adjusting the quantity of air passing through the same. It will be seen that by means of the pipe 8 gas may pass either to or from' the storage chamber (i, The generating chamber 3 is placed in communication with a purifying Chamber 18 by way of the pipe 19. The purifier may be charged with cotton wool or other suitable filtering medium. By suitably regulating the air valve 17 the flow of water from the chamber G may be so controlled that the flow of gas may be automatically regulated. The chamber 6 is provided with a charging orifice and plug 20.

The burner 9 may be furnished with a stop cock 21 of any suitable construction; the said burner being preferably attached to the purifying chamber by a cap or cover 22. By means of this cap access may be obtained to the interior of the chamber 18, the latter being attached to the chamber 3 by means of a screwed and vflanged socket indicated at 2 3.

If desired the chamber 7 may be continued or eX- tendcd upwardly so as to surround the annular' chamber 5, as shown at 24 in Fig. 2, the extension or upper part being separated from the lower part by a perforated plate or diaphragm 25. When employing this construction the air tube 26 is arranged to admit air to or allow of the passage of air from the upper part of the extension 24; the regulating valve or device 17 being preferably situated at the lower end of the said extension. Y

It will be seen that with apparatus constructed as above described the gas under normal conditions is' not conducted to a storage reservoir in the first instance but is allowed to pass directly from the generator to the burner either immediately or through the purifying chamber where such is employed the storage reservoir only coming into use when the consumption of gas is suspended or when the rate of generation of the gas exceeds that of its consumption.

The operation of the improved apparatus is as follows:-Assuming that the cartridge orholder 4 to be partially charged with carbid, the purifying chamber 1S charged with cotton wool or other suitable material, and the parts secured in gas tight condition, 110

the chambers 5 and 6 are filled With water. The stop cock 21 is then turned so as to permit of the escape of air contained Within. the apparatus, and the regulating 'valve 17 opened to its fullest extent. The regulating valve 13 is also opened so as to admit Water from 5 into the lower end of the central tubular portion 11 of the holder 4 whence it obtains access to the carbid in the said holder through the periorations 27 therein, the siphon end of the pipe 12 being situated near the bottom of the said central tubular portion 11. While Vthe gas generated is being consumed the rate of flow oi Water through ,the pipe 12 is regulated by the cock or valve 13 and the position ot the air pipe 1.5. Should the consumption of the gas be suspended by shutting oit the cock 21, and gas continue to be generated then the resulting increase of pressure in the chamber 3 will have the etfect oi forcing or returning any Water therein by way oi12 into the annular Water chamber 5 and also to torce the gas down the pipe 8 into the receiver G. As a result of such a Working the water which becomes displaced in the receiver 6 is iorced by Way oi the pipe 10 to pass into the chamber 7, the air from the latter chamber being caused to escape by the pipe 16 and valve 17. Should gas continue to be generated after the chamber 7 is tully charged, it Will escape by Way ot 16 or 26, the said pipe acting as a safety escape and Warning pipe.

In order to release the gas stored up in the reservoir 6 and relight the burner 9, the valve or cock 17 is turned so as to nearly close the same, the stop cock 21 opened and a light applied to the burner. Air can now enter by Way of the valve 17 and the cock 21 being open Water in chamber 7 will begin to flow through 10 back to the reservoir 6, displacing the gas therein and causing the same to pass through pipe 8 to the upper part of the generating chamber 3 and thence throughithe pipe 19 to the burner 9. At the same time the Water which had been forced or held back by the pressure oi the gas again Vflows through the pipe 12 to the carbid holder 4. As a result of the variation in pressure incidental to the gas in the reservoir 6 iiowing back into the generator 3, the 'flow of the Water from the chamber 5 into the carbid holder 4 is automatically regulated.

lt will be obvious that instead oi employing a removable holder tor the carbid, the chamber 3 may be made in the orm ot an annular chamber With a fixed central tubular portion and the pipe 12 being brought directly into the same. I may also in some cases dispense With the use oi the purifying chamber What l claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A colnbined apparatus and burner ot' the class described, including a generating chamber having a carbid holder loosely arranged therein and in communication therewith, a water chamber surrounding the generating chamber, a storage reservoir having an intermediate water compartment in communication therewith and arranged below the generating and water chambers, a pipe in communication with the generating chamber and the water chamber, a valve arranged in said pipe, a gas supply pipe leading from the generating chamber and in communication with the storage reservoir for supplying gas to the burner, air escape pipes in communication with the water chamber' and the storage chamber, a purifying chamber having communication with the generating chamber and the burner, and a regulating Valve for the burner.

2. A combined apparatus and burner of the class described, including a generating chamber having a carbid holder loosely arranged therein and in vcommunication therewith, a water chamber surrounding the generating chamber, a storage reservoir having an intermediate water compartment in communication therewith and arranged below the generating chamber, a pipe in communication with the generating chamber and the water chamber, a valve arranged in said pipe, a gas supply pipe leading from the generating chamber and in communication with the storage reservoir for supplying gas to the burner, air escape pipes in communication with the water chamber and the storage chamber, a purifying chamber having communication with the generating chamber and the burner, a regulating valve for the burner, and a cut-ott for the air escape pipe in communication with the storage chamber.

R. In a combined apparatus and burner of the class described, a generating chamber, a water chamber surrounding the same, a carbid holder' within said generating chamber and having communication therewith, a tube in communication with the Water chamber and the generating chamber, a storage reservoir having an interposed water compartment in communication therewith and below the generating chamber, a gas supply pipe in communication with the said reservoir and generating chambers for supplying to the burner, a perforated plug in communication with the atmosphere and the water chamber and having an adjustable pipe, an escape tube in communication with the reservoir, and means for controlling the escape of air therefrom.

4. A combined apparatus and burner of the class described, including a generating chamber, a water chamber surrounding the generating chamber, a storage reservoir having an intermediate water compartment in communicationy therewith and arranged below the generating chamber, a pipe in communication with the generating chamber and the water chamber, a valve arranged in said pipe, a gas supply pipe leading from the generating chamber and in communication with the storage reservoir for supplying gas to the burner, air escape pipes in communication with the water chamber and the storage chamber, a purifying chamber having communication with the generator chamber and the burner, and a regulating valve for the burner.

5. A combined apparatus and burner of the class described, including a generating chamber, a water chamber surrounding the generating chamber, a storagereservoir having an intermediate water compartment in communica tion therewith and arranged below the generating chamber, a pipe in communication with the generating chamber and the water chamber, a valve arranged in said pipe, a gas supply pipe leading from thegenerating chamber and in communication with the storage reservoir for supplying gas to the burner, air escape pipes in communication with the water chamber and the storage chamber, a purifying chamber having communication with the generating chamber and the burner, a regulating valve for the burner, and a cut-oft for the air escape pipe in communication with the storage chamber. p

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence ot' two subscribing witnesses.

- THOMAS HENRY HAWKINS.

Witnesses Cinmnns EDWARD GRAHAM, HENRY WA'rci-ronNn CLARKE. 

